Application
How to submit an online application?
You need to fill out the application in the SPbPU online application system. The list of required documents is available on the website.
What happens after submitting the application?
You need to wait for a response from the international admissions manager in the online system's chat.
What should I do if I am already in Russia?
If you are in Russia and plan to enroll at SPbPU without leaving Russia, you must provide a copy of the document confirming that you have undergone the medical examination and fingerprinting.
Visa
What should be the validity period of the passport?
The passport validity period must be at least 18 months after the expected date of arrival in Russia.
Who must apply for a visa invitation?
Only foreign citizens from countries with a visa regime must apply for a visa invitation.
How to obtain a visa invitation?
After passing the entrance exams, your admissions manager will upload the visa invitation to the "Additional Files" section of the SPbPU online application system.
How long does it take to process a visa invitation? Is expedited processing possible?
Processing a visa invitation by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia takes 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited processing of visa invitations is NOT possible. Please submit your documents in advance.
What to do with the electronic visa invitation?
With the electronic invitation, you can apply for a student visa at the Russian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
Which visa can students from visa-regime countries use to enter Russia?
Students from visa-regime countries may enter Russia for study purposes only on a student visa.
When should I buy plane tickets?
Do not buy tickets to Russia until you have received your visa invitation. Check your possible arrival date with your admissions manager.
Can I obtain a student visa on the territory of the Russian Federation?
No, you cannot obtain a student visa on the territory of the Russian Federation.
How many days before expiration should I apply for visa and registration extension?
According to migration legislation, all international students must prepare a full package of documents and submit it to the Passport and Visa Office no earlier than 90 calendar days and no later than 45 calendar days before the visa expiration date.
What official document must foreign citizens planning to study at SPbPU obtain?
Every foreign citizen intending to enroll at SPbPU must obtain an official visa invitation for entry into the Russian Federation, which the university provides through the Federal Migration Service of Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.
What visa do diplomatic missions or consulates of the Russian Federation issue based on the visa invitation?
Based on the invitation, diplomatic missions or consulates of the Russian Federation issue a student visa to the foreign citizen with a validity period of up to 3 months, with the possibility of subsequent extension and issuance of a multiple-entry visa at the University's Passport and Visa Office.
What information must be contained in the student visa?
The student visa must contain the following information:
Surname, first name (in Cyrillic and Latin)
Date of birth
Gender and citizenship
Identification document number
Visa issuance date
Permitted period of stay in the Russian Federation
Entry invitation number for the Russian Federation
Visa validity period (must correspond to the FMS invitation)
Purpose of visit: "study", "internship", or "postgraduate study"
Name of the university
Information about the inviting organization
Number of permitted entries (single, double, multiple)
Entry date for study (no later than 20 days before visa expiration)
All data on the visa must fully match the passport data.
How should the data on the visa correspond to the passport data?
All data on the visa must fully match the passport data.
Documents
Where can I find a list of required documents?
Lists of required documents for Bachelor's, Master's, and Postgraduate programs are available on the SPbPU website.
What education documents are needed for admission?
A certificate of secondary general education with a grade sheet or a diploma of secondary vocational education with a grade sheet is required.
What education documents are required?
A copy of the certificate of secondary general education (with a grade sheet) or diploma of secondary vocational education (with a grade sheet) is required. If you have not yet received your education document, you can submit a current grade sheet and a certificate of study.
Into which language should education documents be translated?
For the preliminary evaluation of documents, the translation of education documents must be done into Russian or English.
When should the original education documents be submitted?
The original education documents, notarized translations and copies must be submitted upon enrollment, unless otherwise specified by the admission rules.
What should be done with education documents issued outside Russia?
International applicants must submit their education documents to the Center for International Credential Evaluation before enrollment.
Is legalization of education documents necessary?
The original education documents must be legalized (depending on the country where they were issued). Detailed information can be found on the website.
What education documents are needed for admission to a Master's or Specialist program?
A Bachelor's or Specialist diploma with a grade sheet is required.
Where is the legalization of education documents carried out?
Education documents can only be legalized in the territory of the country where they were issued. In this regard, it is necessary to take care of legalization before arriving in Russia.
How many types of legalization are there for education documents?
There are 3 categories of legalization requirements for education documents:
Consular legalization
Apostille
Legalization is not required
What is an apostille? Which countries require it?
An apostille is required for member countries of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961. For example: Australia, Japan, the USA, and others.
For which countries is legalization not required?
Legalization is not required for:
Countries with which Russia has bilateral treaties
Member countries of the Chisinau Convention (2002)
Member countries of the Minsk Convention (1993)
For example: China, India, Vietnam, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and others.
What should be done with education documents issued outside Russia?
International applicants must submit their education documents to the Center for International Credential Evaluation before enrollment.
Levels and length of education
What is a Bachelor's degree?
The Bachelor's degree program is the first stage of higher education. The duration of study is 4 years.
What are the admission requirements for a Bachelor's degree program?
Applicants must have completed secondary education. In some cases, an additional preparatory year (foundation program) may be required due to language and science/mathematics requirements.
What is a Master's degree?
The Master's degree program is the second stage of higher education. Admission to a Master's program typically requires prior education at the Bachelor's level.
What is the duration of a Master's degree program?
The duration of a Master's degree program is 2 years.
Who is best suited for postgraduate (doctoral) studies?
Candidates who hold a Master's or Specialist degree are best suited for postgraduate studies.
What is the duration of postgraduate (doctoral) studies?
The duration of postgraduate studies is 3–4 years.
Academic year
When does the academic year begin and end?
The academic year always begins on September 1 and ends at the end of June. Each academic year consists of 2 semesters (September–January and February–June).
When does the academic year begin and end for postgraduate (doctoral) studies?
The academic year for postgraduate studies begins on October 1 and ends at the end of July. Each academic year consists of 2 semesters (October–February and February–September).
Language of instruction
What level of language proficiency is required?
For programs taught in Russian: Russian language level B1
For programs taught in English: English language level B1
Is an official language certificate required?
No. Language proficiency certificates are not required. If you have such a certificate, you may provide it together with other documents.
Dormitory
Can international students live in a dormitory?
Yes. International students enrolled in full-time programs have the opportunity to live in a student dormitory on the campus. Be sure to indicate that you need a dormitory when applying.
What should I do if I do not want to live in a dormitory?
If you do not want to live in a dormitory, you must find housing on your own. This process may take longer at the end of August – beginning of September due to the start of the academic year.
What information should I send to the admissions manager?
You should send:
Date and time of arrival
Your student visa
Ticket to Saint Petersburg
Who should be notified, and how many days in advance, if you plan to live in a dormitory?
If you plan to live in a dormitory, you must notify the dormitory administration by email at least 7 days before your arrival.
What information should be sent to the dormitory administration?
In the email, you should send:
Your visa
Ticket to Saint Petersburg
What response will I receive from the dormitory administration?
After that, you will receive the dormitory address and check-in instructions from the dormitory administration.
Medical Ensurance
Is it mandatory to have health insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory. According to Federal Laws No. 114-FZ of 15.08.1996 and No. 115-FZ of 25.07.2002, foreign citizens are required to have valid health insurance (voluntary medical insurance – VMI) on the territory of the Russian Federation, especially in Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.
Where can one obtain health insurance?
You can obtain insurance at the following addresses:
City Polyclinic No. 76 (11/1 Khlopina St., room 120) — Mon–Fri from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Unified Center for Foreign Citizens (30 Grazhdansky Ave., 1st floor) — Mon–Fri from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
What services should be included in the insurance policy?
The insurance policy must include:
Emergency outpatient care
Emergency medical care
Emergency inpatient care
Medical transport and repatriation
Barrier screening for international students
Examination to obtain a certificate of clearance for physical education classes
Is health insurance a mandatory document for enrollment and studying at SPbPU?
Yes, it is mandatory. Health insurance is one of the mandatory documents for enrollment and studying at SPbPU.
When should international students obtain health insurance?
International students must obtain health insurance after arrival.
Does health insurance cover the mandatory medical examination?
Unfortunately, it does not cover it. Health insurance does not cover the mandatory medical examination.
Before and after arrival
Steps Before and After Arrival
What steps need to be taken before arriving in Russia?
Before arriving in Russia, the following steps must be completed:
Submit an online application
Take entrance exams using remote technologies
Receive a visa invitation and apply for a student visa
Legalize your education documents
Notify about your arrival
What steps need to be taken after arriving in Russia?
After arriving in Russia, the following steps must be completed:
Check into the dormitory (if necessary)
Go to the Visa Office on the premises of the Unified Center for Foreign Citizens
Purchase health insurance
Translate your education documents
Submit your education documents and pay tuition at the admissions office
Review the information for first-year students
Undergo fingerprinting and medical examination
What documents are required for medical examination and fingerprinting?
The following documents are required for medical examination and fingerprinting:
Your passport
Notarized translation of the passport (if available)
Migration card
At what stage should tuition be paid?
Tuition is paid after arriving in Russia, when submitting documents at the admissions office, or online.
Where is the Visa Office located?
The Visa Office is located on the premises of the Unified Center for Foreign Citizens.
How and how many days in advance should you notify your admissions manager about your arrival?
You must notify your admissions manager about your arrival via the chat of the SPbPU online application system and ask about available rooms at least 7 days before your arrival.
Where should foreign citizens apply for migration registration upon arrival at SPbPU?
Foreign citizens arriving at SPbPU from foreign countries, including CIS and Baltic countries, must apply for migration registration at the University's Passport and Visa Office.
How long should you keep the detachable part "B" of the migration card?
A foreign citizen must keep the detachable part "B" of the migration card with the entry stamp for the entire period of stay on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Within what period must an international student register at the University's Passport and Visa Office after arriving in Russia?
Every international student must register at the University's Passport and Visa Office within 3 working days after arriving in Russia.
What actions must be taken upon each new entry into the Russian Federation?
Upon each new entry into the Russian Federation, you receive a new migration card and must apply for new migration registration at the migration service.
What does registration confirm?
Your registration is a document confirming the legality of your stay on the territory of Russia.
What must you take from the terminal in the hall of the Passport and Visa Office?
Please do not forget to take a ticket from the terminal in the hall of the Passport and Visa Office (Grazhdansky Ave., 30, Unified Center for Foreign Citizens) indicating the purpose of your visit.
What procedures must foreign citizens arriving in Russia for a period of more than 90 days undergo?
All foreign citizens (except citizens of the Republic of Belarus and persons holding a temporary residence permit or permanent residence permit) arriving in Russia for a period of more than 90 days must undergo mandatory state fingerprint registration, photographing, and medical examination.
What to do in case of loss of documents?
Immediately report to the Passport and Visa Office and come in on the same or next day for restoration.
Contacts
What are the contact details of the admissions office for international students?
Email: interstudy@spbstu.ru, interadmission@spbstu.ru, admissioninfo@spbstu.ru
Phone: 8 (800) 101-18-99
Address: 195220 Russia, Saint Petersburg, Grazhdansky Ave., 28, room 228
What are the working hours of the admissions office for international students?
Monday–Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: closed
What are the contact details of the Unified Center for Foreign Citizens?
Address: Saint Petersburg, Grazhdansky Ave., 30
Location: Unified Center for Foreign Citizens (1st floor, rooms 104, 106)
Working hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (lunch break: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
Contact person: Yulia V. Solovyova
Email: dormitory@spbstu.ru
Phone numbers:
8 (800) 707-18-99 (ext. 3009, 3008)
+7 (812) 248-92-09
What are the contact details (email, phone numbers, working hours) of the Passport and Visa Office of SPbPU?
Contact details of the Passport and Visa Office of SPbPU:
Address: Russia, 195220, Saint Petersburg, Grazhdansky Ave., 30, Unified Center for Foreign Citizens (1st floor)
Phone numbers:
+7 (812) 606-62-35
+7 (812) 534-32-22
Email: pvo@spbstu.ru
Working hours: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM (weekdays)
Registration
What document does a foreign citizen receive at border control upon arrival in Russia, and how should it be filled out?
Upon arrival in Russia, at border control, a foreign citizen (or stateless person) receives a migration card and fills it out in strict accordance with their passport data. If necessary, they should underline "study" as the purpose of entry.
What is the penalty for violating immigration rules (migration registration deadlines)?
According to Russian legislation, foreign citizens who violate immigration rules (migration registration deadlines) are subject to a fine of 7,000 rubles and may be deported from Russia by court order, followed by a ban on entry to the Russian Federation for up to 5 years.
Bank card
How can an international student open a bank account in Russia?
You need to visit a bank branch in person with your passport, migration card, registration, and student ID card. Banks such as Sberbank, VTB, and Tinkoff open accounts for foreign nationals.
How long does it take to open a bank account, and how much does it cost?
It typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes. Opening an account is usually free (may vary slightly depending on the bank).
What currency can be kept in a Russian bank account?
Primarily rubles (RUB). Some banks also offer accounts in US dollars (USD) and euros (EUR).
Telephone
What is needed to buy a SIM card in Russia?
To enter into a contract with a mobile operator, a foreign citizen must:
Have a document confirming the legality of their stay.
Obtain a SNILS (Russian pension insurance certificate).
Create a verified account on the State Services (Gosuslugi) portal.
Submit biometrics (register in the Unified Biometric System (UBS)).
Provide the phone's IMEI number to the operator.
Visit the operator's office in person (online registration is no longer possible).
There is also a restriction: one foreign citizen can register no more than 10 SIM cards across all operators.
Important: If you already have a SIM card purchased under the old rules, you needed to verify your identity at a mobile operator store using SNILS, Gosuslugi, and biometrics by July 1, 2025. Otherwise, the SIM card would be blocked. That deadline has already passed, and if you have not done this, your SIM card is most likely no longer active.
What internet plans are available in Russia?
There are plans with a monthly subscription fee, with either limited or unlimited data. The cost is approximately 300–800 rubles per month.
Can I use the SIM card immediately after purchase?
Yes. The SIM card is activated right after registration at the operator's store.
Authors
This guide was prepared by the team of the "Myanmar Guide" project — students from Myanmar who have gone through the entire journey from submitting an application to living in Saint Petersburg. They have gathered the most frequently asked questions and useful contacts to help you get admitted to SPbPU and adapt to life in Russia.
Handbook for students from Myanmar
Important! Legislation and regulations (especially those concerning SIM card purchases, biometrics, medical examinations) may change. Before traveling, be sure to verify the current requirements with your admissions manager at SPbPU or on the university’s official website. Our guide provides a reliable foundation, but always double-check the final details personally.
We wish you a successful admission and an easy adaptation!